H       A       R       D
                                    |<      O       R

                                interlude Edition

                     K i m a g u r e 	O r a n g e     R o a d 
                                   F a n f i c t i o n

                                   by Robert Kwong
                                      ver 1.0
                                   Finished 12-12-98

Based on characters from the Kimagure Orange Road Series created by
the venerable Matsumoto Izumi.

As you can see, this is fanfiction harkening back to the old Kimagure Orange
Orange Road Series. In the Prelude edition, it outlines the events following
the breakup of Hikaru and Kyousuke which sets the stage for Shin Kor and
HARD Kor series.  These stories were written in the attempt to clarify
certain details assumed and to provide clues for future Hard Kor episodes.
Book A and Book B chapters provides the events after Shin Kor I. This Book C
will bridge the gap between Shin Kor II and Shin Kor III.


HardKor Web Site (With Disclaimer and back-stories:
Book A and Book B chapters)
http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/HardKor.html

My SuperPage for the General Kimagure Orange Road enthusiast
http://www.animeyahoo.com

My contact email address for comments or further correspondence:
rk@soda.berkeley.edu

Feel free to email me your impressions and suggestions for the series. Beta
readers always welcome. If you want new stories emailed to you, please e-mail
me at the above address.

Thanks for reading my stories and making it one the most popular KOR fanfic
on the web! (32000 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it as I did
writing it. Thanks again.
Robert Kwong
Ark Productions -98-


Legend:
Akane     =  Akane  Kasuga
Kurumi    =  Kurumi Kasuga
Manami    =  Manami Kasuga
Muroke    =  Koji Muroke
Shijama   =  Shijama Zumi
Taku      =  Taku Morisaki
Shinohara =  Shinohara Asuma
Shun      =  Shun Kisaragi
Hasegawa  =  Hasegawa Kazuya


[]      - denotes scene changes
()      - indicates person thinking to himself
(**)    - indicates action or special effects.


Interlude: Chapter 8: Lingering Spirits

[Leaving off at the theater...]

Manami: What are you ding here?

Muroke: I was about to ask you the same question!

Kurumi: You two are so clumsy! You bump into each other too much.

Muroke: It's been a while.

Manami: Yes, it has been a while.

Akane: Manami! What are you doing fraternizing with the enemy?

Muroke: Enemy?

Akane: Let's go! I can't stand the sight of treacherous men.

Manami: But Akane...

(The 3 girls leave in a heap)

Taku: Who were those girls? Why were they making such a fuss?

Muroke: I don't know.

Kazuya: He he. You guys are such saps.

Taku: Excuse me, but do we know you?

Kazuya: (points to Muroke) He does.

#2/Muroke: Ah...yeah. You're that kid way back when you and the girls teamed
up against our group.

Kazuya: Very good, brain boy. Thanks man.

Muroke: For what?

Kazuya: Whatever you did to screw up their baka little club of theirs.
Especially when it pisses my big sister off. I love it when she's mad. Say, it
must be cool to be at an all-boys dorm.

Muroke: How do you know that?

Kazuya: Easy. I just read my sister...I mean I overheard them talking. Can I
drop by your place and hang out with you guys sometimes?

Muroke: I guess that would ok. Let me write down the address for you...

Kazuya: No need. I already know. 

Kurumi: Kazuya! There you are. We've been looking for you. (shakes her finger
at Muroke and Taku) Look what you did! (grabs Kazuya's hand and walks off)

Taku: This has been a very curious night experience for me.

Muroke: Tell me about it. I would like to say it's the first time that has
happen to me, but unfortunately, these sort of wacky things happen to me on a
frequent basis.


[Back in New York, at the Shubert Theater]

(Hikaru and Shuri, dressed in their leotards, awaiting their turns, on the
outskirts of the stage)

Shuri: (*Yawn*) So many girls here auditioning so early. Never seen that before.

Hikaru: Word gets around.

Shuri: I'll say. Ya see the character profiles they passed out?

Hikaru: Yes. What's so strange about it?

Shuri: Virgin Maiden Princess? I don't think either of us would be caught dead
with that description.

Hikaru: It just the role. Besides, I heard that there will be long, dance
choreographies in this production.

Shuri: Only good for those who make it.

Hikaru: At least we will give it our best, right?

Shuri: Hai Hikaru! Hey, there's something different about what you're wearing.

Hikaru: What? This is my normal outfit.

Shuri: Of course! But where's that cutsy toy you would attach to the side.

Hikaru: You mean that? I decided not to bring it here for this time.

Shuri: But why?

Hikaru: No time! You're next!

Shuri: I'll get you later!

Hikaru: You wish! Go break a leg!

Shuri: HAI!

Hikaru: 

[Back at Ryokurin Ryo "dorm" house]

(Shinohara and Shijama are busy cleaning up the mess on the second floor.)

Shinohara: Curses!

Shun: You two better get this whole mess cleaned up by tonight.

Shinohara: (to Shijama) Those freshmen friends of yours. Find them.

Shun: You're a freshman also!

Shinohara: Leave us alone! I don't want to get tormented by someone who LOOKS
like a girl!

Shun: Fine! (storms off)

Shinohara: And you! (points to Shijama) You're friends. Where the hell are
they? Hey! Speak up!

Shijama: What is there to say? There are not here. That's that.

(Shun downstairs as Muroke and Taku comes in)

Shun: Hey you two! Just the people I want to see?

Taku: What seems to be the matter Kisaragi-san?

Shun: Trouble. That is, you two are in big trouble!

Muroke: Trouble? What did we do?

Shun: Don't you know? That montrosity has filled the whole second floor with
soap bubbles! I never seen Suka-chan  so mad before.

Taku: Are you talking about that machine?

Shun: That's precisely the device. And not only that. Not only do you help to
help the rest of the crew clean up the second floor, Hasukawa has imposed an
additional punishment because of the grave disturbance to him. Because of
today's incident, he has decreed that you 4 be subjected to another month of
cleaning for the month of November.

Muroke: That's grossly unfair! That robot wasn't our doing. It was that crazy
roommate of Zumi-kun. Shinohara's actions is a menace to this house!

Shun: That's nothing you can do about the decision now. I can try to talk to
Hasukawa on your behalf. I'll try to get him to cut you all some slack.

Muroke: Don't tell me; it interrupted his video game.

Shun: That's not the point.

Muroke: I think that is precisely the point. There's been some strange things
going on here in this house. From my odd experience the very first day. Sure,
I may be from a quiet place, but I still know it ain't normal here. First, we
have this distraught RA admin who doesn't seem to care about anything here in
this house except for his silly video game. And Shijama has been spooked by
the spook incidents. And to top it off, he has this wacked out rommmated.
Someone gave me a warning about this place and I'm beginning to believe it.
There's something going on here.

Shun: I'm sorry we haven't been more attentive or supportive. It has been
tough trying to adjust between the different levels of students we have here.
It is our first time being in charge. I hope both both sides can give each
other some leeway.

Muroke: I'm still mad!

Shun: Well, the only thing I can tell you is that I've takened measures to
take care of the wandering spirits here.

Taku: (whispers to Shun) Thank you Kisaragi-san. I think Muroke-san needs some
time to cool off.

[Back at the Twins house]

(The room is dimly lit, as Akane wears what seem to be a green army headgear
and wearing a tight green dress uniform. In her hand is a baton)

Akane: Listen here people! We have a grave situation on our hands. We have
been waging a war against a faceless enemy, until now. Having infiltrated
their secret base, we now know who has been the mastermiind behind these
nefarious attacks on our camp. This unholy boys house presents a challenge to
keep alive our infant movement for liberating and empowering women everywhere
in the country. They resist us because they think we don't know any better;
they try to put us down and in our place. But we won't accept that anymore.
Even as they try to squash our movement, fearing our "dangerous ideas" we
won't back down.

Kurumi: So what are we goin' to do? All this talk has gotten me sleepy.

Akane: (voice crescendoing) You want to know what we're going to do? You want
to know what we're going to do? YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO?

Kurumi: Yeah what?

Akane: I'll tell you what we've going to do! We've going to march up there and
confront the enemy face to face!

Kurumi: Are we going to wrestle?

Manami: Kurumi-chan!

Akane: Whatever it takes, we'll do it!

[Back to Ryokurin Ryo]

(Shinohara and Muroke are in a heated exchange)

Shinohara: Get off my case, will ya? You're such a snot!

Muroke: Baka! You jerk! You've been the menace to the house!

Taku: Calm down Koji-san. You have to control your emotions.

Muroke: No, I won't calm down! I have been keeping this inside me too long
now. Me and the rest of this house had to put off
with this jerk's shannigans. From riding that monstrosity of a cycle to
constructing those death-trap contraptions.  You've been a lousy tenant from
the get-go. Am I right Zumi-kun?

Shijama: I don't feel like talking right now.

Muroke: How can you say that? You're the one who done most of the complaining
to me? What's wrong with you today? Why aren't you speaking up now?

Shijama: I,...I cannot be sure. My head is all fuzzy now.

Muroke: Probably from all the smoke fumes that scrap-heap piece of junk
emitted when it malfunctioned.

Shinohara: How dare you insult my work!

"Who dares disturb my gaming!?"

Everyone: "Hasukawa-san!"

Hasukawa: You four have been the troublemakers in this house,
disturbing the quiet order that existed before. I want none of it! No pranks,
no practical jokes, no inventions, no anything to disturb the peace here. I am
sick and tired of it. Just plain, simple boring here. Is that clear?


Muroke: (raising his voice to protest) But...

Hasukawa: I said is that clear?

Everyone: (voices in dejection) Yes.

(As Hasukawa leaves, Shun joins up with him)

Shun: You were mighty harsh on them!

Hasukawa: I hate crazy antics!

Shun: You mean, you hated the crazy antics of Mitsuru and Shinobu-semapi.

Hasukawa: It isn't the same.

Shun: 

[A few days later...]

[At the Ayukawa Mansion]

(Kyosuke is milling about in the Ayukawa mansion in his shorts and t-shirt,
and with a 3-day stubble. He looks like a slob.)

I was alone here all by myself now. Madoka had left for Seattle to visit her
parents. That was part of the arrangement, since we couldn't be with her
parents during the upcoming holidays. Incidentally, we missed the premiere of
the new play that night I saw Madoka off at Narita airport, despite the
annoying insistence of Hayakawa.  I wondered why Madoka chose not to attend;
she could have rescheduled her flight a day later. I asked her about it, but
she wouldn't hear of it. As if she wanted to avoid the whole thing for some
reason. I was a little disappointed in not being able to attend the debut
opening, despite my misgivings of the parties involved, including Haroken,
Hayakawa, and Nagasi. Perhaps it was the disappointment of Hikaru-chan not
being there.  At least we could have heard the beautifully choreographed music
she composed.

(*Ding Dong*)

Kyosuke: Yukari-san! What are you doin here?

Yukari: Playing a visit to my future cousin-in-law. My, my- did you forget to
put on your PJ's?

K: Gomen. I wasn't expecting company.

Yukari: You sure look it. Still, you need to carry yourself better. Do you
want Madoka marrying a bum?

K: Now that's a bit harsh!

Yukari: (winks of him) Madoka did say you were gullible. You're lucky I'm the
one being mean to you! Shape up for Madoka, ok?

K: I will, I will. But while I'm still a bachelor, can't I enjoy my precious
few days left?

Yukari: No. That's what a woman is for.

K: I guess. (puts his hand behind his head) Is that why you came here?

Yukari: No. I just came by to pick up some materials Madoka left for me. I am
subbing for her at that conservatory.

K: Right. I almost forgot. (as he runs upstairs, he mutters to himself: Man,
this place is a mess. Yukari probably thinks I'm a big, fat irresponsible
slob.)

K: Here are the materials.

Yukari: Arrigatou! First right thing you did today. You'd better put on
something more decent before someone else scolds you for indecent exposure.
Ja!

K: That Yukari. She's really something. Guess I better start doing something
right by doing the laundrey. (As he picks up his shirt, a card falls out.
Kyosuke picks it up) Aso, Tamaka. That reporter I bumped into. I been meaning
to pay her a visit. Guess now's a good a time as any.



[At an office]

Kyosuke: (looks around in the small, humble-looking office) I wonder if it is
the right place here?

(out walks a woman speaking to several men at once)

"Make a copy of this and this for me. Schedule this segment for the 1 o'clock
tomorrow. And get me this week's latest supermarket prices!"

Kyosuke: Anno...

"Ah! It's you!" (eyeglasses fall off the tip of her nose and her jaw drops)

Kyosuke: I see that I've come at a bad time. I can come again at a better
time.

"No, no, no, no! Stay! Please! Don't go! I'll be with you in a moment."

Kyosuke: Well ok. 

(After a few moments)

"Gomen. I'm back. Thanks for stopping by." (sticks her hand out to shake)

Kyosuke: I'm glad you still want to see me Aso-san. (cracks a smile) How is
your leg?

Aso Tamaki: You mean that little accident? Just a scratch. It takes a lot more
than that to stop Aso Tamaki  from tackling the world out there.

Kyosuke: It would seem so. Is this a bad time for you? If so, I really can
come back later for you to conduct that interview.

Aso: Are you kidding? You're story facinates me! It is my job as a reporter
and my general keen interest to get down to the core of the story, the details
behind the man who survived the conflict in Bosnia.

Kyosuke: It wasn't that big of a deal, but I'll tell you as much as I know.

Aso: That's all I ask. Use your own words. But first, let's find a better
place to conduct the interview. Please come with me, Mr Kasuga.

Kyosuke: 

(They enter what seems to be a lunch room)

Aso: I'm sorry for the spartan conditions here, but we're a small, local
operation, and we try to improvise as much as possible. There isn't room for
having my own separate office, so we use this area as a multi-purpose room. I
hope you don't mind these arrangements.

Kyosuke: Not at all. Has a cozy feel to it.

Aso: I'm glad to hear it. (picks up her yellow manilla pad and pen) Let us
begin!


[At the penthouse]

(Nagasi is fawning on the bed on all fours as a cat as she waits for Ryusei)

Nagasi: "There you are honey bear," she cooed. "What took you so long?"

Ryusei: I was speaking to a business associate while I was getting ready. I'm
afraid I'll have to cancel our night out.

Nagasi: That's no fair! You promised!

R: Now there. No use in throwing your childish temper tantrums.

Nagasi: If I want to throw my tantrums, I'll will! And you're so insensitive.
You know that is the only night I have off from the play.

R: Yes, but you should also realize that without the business I'm in, you
woudln't be able to wear all those fancy baubbles on you.

Nagasi: You're only right on one account. I do love all the jewels that I
have.

R: As such with your makeup. But I do realize you gave a good performance
given the circumstances, and I am quite pleased. Now, the only judge will be
the finicky public.

Nagasi: If you're not taking me out tonight, then you owe me something big.

R: As to be expected with all your requests.

Nagasi: Then I'll do whatever I want in granting myself the favor.

R: Go ahead. I'll be going now. Ja!

Nagasi: 


[Back at Ryokurin Ryo]

(Muroke is balancing a pile of tapes)

Muroke: Tonight's the big night!

Taku: It is?

Muroke: Yes! Have you forgotten already? I promised to introduce you to the
world of Star Trek. So tonight is a Trekker-a-thon! Where's Shijama?

Taku: I thought he came back with you.

Muroke: No, I thought he came back earlier. Guess he must still be in the
labs. And on a Saturday. That's really too bad. He's an avid Trekkie fan and
it kill him to know that he was missing all the action. But these tapes have
to go back first thing tomorrow. So get the bento boxes and drinks ready! It's
going to be a long night.

"Woah!"

Muroke: What? Ah, Tatsuya-san. Sorry. Almost bumped into you.

Tatsuya Youta: Apology accepted. What are you holding?

Muroke: Bunch of tapes for a sci-fi show. Do you want to join us? Me and
Taku-san are going to the A/V room to watch.

Tatsuya: Can I bring my friends along?

Muroke: Sure! Bring as many of the underclassmen as you want. I'll be happy to
indoctrinate everyone to the wonders of Star Trek!


[Back in New York]

(Hikaru is on the phone)

Hikaru: Yes...what? You're not serious? You are? You mean I can come in for the
next round of tryouts? What? Am I alright? Yes, I am. I just need a minute to
catch my breath. Whew. Thank you so much! You have a good night too. Bye, bye.

(Shuri comes in through the door)

Shuri: Hiya Hik! Wow, what's up with you?

Hikaru: What? Is there a problem?

Shuri: Y -ea- h! You seem to be beaming like a christmas tree.

Hikaru: Is it that obvious?

Shuri: Yes,...which means, you must have gotten the call for the next round of
tryouts! Congratulations!

(they both scream and jump up and down)

Shuri: That's great! I'm happy for you.

Hikaru: Thanks. But you look pretty glum. Don't tell me that...

Shuri: Yeah. I got my call too. They told me that I didn't fit in with their
plans.

Hikaru: I'm so sorry to hear that. Now I feel so bad now...

Shuri: Now, now! Don't be a downer on account of me. I knew my chances weren't
good given what the part called for. My frame is too big for what they were
looking for. But in your case, it's perfect! You have the small petite body
they're looking for. I'm just glad one of us got to go on to the next round.

Hikaru: But Shuri...

Shuri: And besides Hik. Your success is my success. Right? Now wipe that
gloomy face off and let's go celebrate 'kay?

(Hikaru nods)

[Back to Ryokurin Ryo dorm house]

Shun: What's is everyone gathered in here for?

"Some upperclassman is holding a video-a-thon  as a good-will gesture for both
upper and lower classmen to get together."

Shun: That's a good idea!

"Shh. They're about to start!"

Muroke: Hello everyone of this house! I'm happy to have all of you here in
attendance. I hope you enjoy a glimpse into the science fiction world of Star
Trek.

(presses the 'Play' button. Everyone waits in anticipation as we hear winding
noises. Then it stop turning)

Muroke: What?

Shun: (walks over) I sorry Muroke-san. The VCR here is busted! It's been
inoperational for quite some time now. So it looks like no video for tonight.


(groans and ahhs from the restless audience)

"Who says?"

(everyone turns their head to see Shinohara standing by the door holding
something)

Shinohara: Am I invited?

Muroke: Enough with the games Shino'-san. What do you want?

Shinohara: This event here picques my interest. I wish to participate.

Taku: Like how?

Shinohara: With this. (places down a brand-new Mitshibishi Super-VHS!)

(oohs and ahhs from the crowd)

Shinohara: Are you willing to use my machine to play your tapes?

Muroke: I don't know...

(crowd yells "yes, use it", "go for it")

Muroke: (swallows) WEll, if it is the only working machine here, I guess we
must use whatever we can get. Arrigatou.

(everyone cheers!)

[The Dinner]

Kyosuke: Thank you for inviting me for dinner. It feels very awkward being
invited by a lady.

Aso: The pleasure is all mine. Is this place alright for you?

Kyosuke: It is. Been away far too long eating at those "straight-laced"
resturants. This reminds me of my college days.

Aso: I am glad you like. Unagi Eel for you?

Kyosuke: Yes, that's fine.

Aso: (to waiter) I'll have the same. And bring your finest sake.

"Hai maam."

Aso: I'm really glad you came in to do the interview. Sorry it took so long.

Kyosuke: I'm glad that I could be of help. Least I could do.

Aso; Was I the first to interview you?

Kyosuke: If you mean directly, then yes. I wrote up a transcript of my
experience there when I was working for TTV.

Aso: You worked at TTV?

Kyosuke: I used to. Not reporting, but just being the cameraman. I guess
having photographic abilities comes in handy for that type of work.

Aso: That must be amazing. Our little station must pale in comparison to it.

Kyosuke: It does have your typical full-array of broadcast equipment and
hierarchy that is followed as each instruction is dispatched down the chain of
command. Very direct and orderly.

Aso: I don't mean to intrude, but why aren't you working there now?

Kyosuke: I quit.

Aso: You did?

Kyosuke: Yes. I walked away. I realized that I wasn't nearly ready nor mature
enough for such a high-class operation they have there. I felt that for the
best intersts of the station, I left.

Aso: That must be very noble of you.

Kyosuke: Might I ask you a personal question of my own?

Aso: You may. It's up to me to decide whether to respond or not.

Kyosuke: (chuckles) You certainly have that crafty reporter response down pat.
Which leads me to my question? How did you get interested in wanting to be a
newsreporter?


[Back to the media room in Ryokurin Ryo]

(intermission time, after 4 hours)

Muroke: What do you think so far?

Taku: A little out of the ordinary from the shows I seen before, but it
certain has a certain appeal to it.

Muroke: Yeah. I thought showing episodes of "The Next Generation" would be in
tune with the modern times. Another spinoff of the series is called "Deep
Space Nine". They have been showing that for a year now. They also have an
older series in the 1960's starring James T. Kirk. The T stands for Tiberious.
He's probably the most famous figure in the Star Trek lore.

Taku: You certainly know your Trek Trivia.

Muroke: If you're impressed with that, you heard nothing yet. You know the
headquarters of Starfleet Command is in San Francisco. That's the Golden Gate
Bridge you see in the background for some of the episodes. Supposedly, the
reason Gene Roddenberry chose S.F. was because it was the site of the creation
of the United Nations. So he thought it would be natural to crete the United
Federation of Planets there also.

Taku: That sounds neat.

"I'm certainly not impressed."

Muroke: Shinohara-san! Now what do you want?

Shinohara: Contributing to your conversation, if I may. Personally, I find the
whole series to be deeply flawed. This whole Prime Directive is total bunk.

Muroke: Who are you to say that?

Shinohara: I believe watching every episode of ST, ST:TNG, and DS9 qualifies
me.

Muroke: What...? How can that be?

Shinohara: I pick up everything on my mini satellite dish. As I was
saying, the premise of Star Trek is flawed. Equality and equalness for all!
Total sham. Plain ideality idiotness. Will never happen.

Muroke: That's just your opinion. Plus there's going to a new Star Trek
Series being created called Star Trek Voyager. And a woman will be the
captain. What do you have to say about that?

Shinohara: It may be so. But her incompetance being a woman will doom her crew.
And another thing! You two owe me for the use of my VCR.

Muroke: What!? If I knew that, I would have never used it.

Shinohara: Gullible folk you are. Never will survive in the jungle world out
there. I'll collect my favor some other time. Ja ne!

Muroke: Argh! That Shinohara! (shakes his fist) How exasperating!


[At the Shin ABCB]

Komatsu: (covering partially the mouthpiece of his cellphone) Geez! Could you
quiet it down. People are try'n to do some work in here!

Izzy: I'm a zzz zorry.

Hatta: Great! You shouldn't have anything to mutter about. You were so lucky
to get to see your own play!

Izzy: Yezzz. Y'right. (*Hiccup*) All ze goody parts were cut out.

Komatsu: Goody parts? What goody parts?

Izzy: Y'know. Uze your imag'nation.

Komatsu: I've got a BIG imagination. Let's see, a cat strip tease? Or you
showed the cats doing it? Naked felines showgirls, I would pay to see that!

Izzy: Noooooooo. Dis iz ze play, not a sexx zshow.

Hatta: Well, are you going to tell us or annoy us some more?

Izzy: I tellz you. Beg'ning with the parts. There waz su'pose to be 5 parts
instead of 3. And last 3 hours instead of 2.

Komatsu: Way too long for me. Someone shoot me If I were to sit through
anything that long.

Izzy: Ze masterpiece cannot be rushed. They cut out my flashbacks of the queen
and her friend's friendship. And the sideplots of the treachery. And the...

Hatta: Ok now. I think we've heard enough now.

(in crashes the Twins and Akane!)

Komatsu: Oh no! Here comes the terrible three-some!

Hatta: Hiya Kurumi and Manami-san!

Manami: Hi--

Akane: Hush Manami! No speaking to the enemy.  I'll let it be known to you
'boys' here that our club is preparing for an offensive tomorrow. Let us be
and let us drink with your disturbance.

Komatsu: Ah great! More kooky behavior.

[In the dorm room]

Taku: Koji-san.

Muroke: Yes?

Taku: Thanks for introducing me to Star Trek. I quite enjoyed the experience.

Muroke: I'm glad you could enjoy it, despite Shinohara's best attempts to ruin
the night.

Taku: He has his issues to deal with. I was have this strange feeling.

Muroke: 'bout what?

Taku: That something bad is going to happen quite soon. Watching all those
instances of anomalies and phenmena occurring for those episodes have
triggered the feeling I have been having for some time.

Muroke: Don't be influenced by that; these spacial occurrences are part of the
plot.

Taku: No, I mean from my astronomical observations of the past weeks, there
seems to be a misalignment.

Muroke: You can't be serious?

Taku: I am quite serious. I not sure if you know this, but astronomy and the
study of the stars have been used throughout history as a method to predict
forecoming disasters. From floods to comets or meteors or even earthquakes.

Muroke: I know. But thoese studies back then were purely speculative and
superstitious. You don't really thing that the alignment of the planets has
anything to do with casual events here?

Taku: I sure hope that I am wrong!

[The Next Day]

Muroke: (half-awake) Groan! Another day for cleaning.

Taku: (*Yawn*) Yes,...it is.

Muroke: Where's that Shinohara hanging about? And Shijama too?

Shinhara: HI MEN! LET'S GET THIS JOB DONE!

Muroke: (covering his ears) Not so louuuud! Why are you so alert and hyper?

Shinohara: Lacking physical conditioning of your bodies is your problem. Peak
training has been my routine.

Muroke: Oh, so you exercise. Big deal.

Shun: Good news people! You guys don't have to clean today. We will have
another special type of "cleaning" today.

Taku: Can you explain?

"We shall have spiritual cleaning today!"

(We see a rather tall, good-looking man dressed in traditional Japanese dress,
with a blue sash under his arm)

Shun: Allow me to introduce one of the "alumni" of this house: Ikeda
Mitsuru-semapi!

Mitsuru: Hello young sacrifices!

Muroke: Say what?

Shun: (nervous laugh) Sempai is always the kidder. Always blurting out
wierd things, right?

Mitsuru: (assuming an aristocratic pose and raising his hand in the air)
I don't fancy so; I was quite the model resident.

(Shun does a prat-fall)

Mitsuru: As for my mission here, I have walked all the way from my humble
temple to assist in ridding the demons from this shabby, hell-hole of a
house here.

Shun: It's only a few blocks away! And why are you ragging on the building
for?

Mitsuru: I thought I was complimenting it; I rather enjoyed its creaky walls
and leaky roof.

Shun: Come on Sempai! Now's the time to be serious!

Mitsuru: As you wish, young one. (puts his hand on Shun's forehead)

Shun: Aie! What are you doing?

Mitsuru: I'm scanning you for evil demons which may be hiding inside you.

Shun: Baka! There's no evil spirit inside of me!

Mitsuru: (pauses for a while) Hmmmm,...you're right! You're clear.

Shun: There's got to be a better way to do this. You can't be touching
everyone's forehead.

Mitsuru: If you desire, I'll use the "device" then.

(plucks something out of his pack which resembles a Y shaped branch)

Shinohara: Get that out of my face!

Mitsuru: Hush! I'm am mediating with the surrounding spirits.

Taku: (whispers to Muroke) I think he's doing some ghostbusting technique.

(Mitsuru stands to chant some funny incantation, and as he does this, moves
in a strange dance, pointing the sticks at each of the 4 boys. For each one,
he moves the stick violently up and down.)

Mitsuru: I have found the source of the disharmony which exists.

Shun: You have? Where?

Mitsuru: Here. (points to each of the boys) Nice of you Shun-chan to bring
all the suspects all in one area.

Shinohara: What? What nonesense!

Mitsuru: Strange as the fates operate, it is true. You four are upsetting the
flow in this house.

Shun: Hmmm, that might be true. They have presented some problems for the RAs
here.

Muroke: Hey! Whose side are you on anyway?

Mitsuru: Ah!

Shun: What now?

Mitsuru: I feel an even stronger force tugging at me. Even stronger than
these 4. Could be the head demon at work.

Shun: Where, where?

Mitsuru: (his stick lurches up and forward) I am being tugged to another
location. (starts to walk down the stairs)

Shun: You guys stay here while I track with Sempai, ok?

Shinohara: Do whatever you like.

(as Shun leaves, in enters Akane, Kurumi, and Manami!)

Muroke: Kasugas! What are you 3 doing here?

Akane: There's our cuprit!

Muroke: What? Now what?

Akane: (dressed up in gang-like attire and pointing directly at Muroke)
Koji Muroke! I accuse you of being the mastermind behind the several
attempts to thwart our attempts to sabotage our meetings advocating
equality for women all over in Japan!

Muroke: That's not true!

Akane: How dare you try to lie to us! We shall punish you severely.

(As Kurumi and Akane converge on Muroke, we hear a strange laughter)

"Hahahahahaaaaa!"

Akane: That laugh...I heard it somewhere before...

Kurumi: Hey short stuff! Who is that guy laughing? (points)

Muroke: Him? Shinohara Asuma, one of the residents here.

Akane: YOU! 

Shinohara: Yes. You seek me. Not that amateur. How stupid you women are!

Akane: Why you! (clenches her fist)

Manami: Hold it Akane! (to Shinohara) What a rotten person you are! You were
going to let Muroke take the rap for this!

Shinohara: Ha! I am the head guy! He and my other lackeys in this dorm
only serve me. I take credit for our gang like any Japanese man would.

Taku: What is he talking about?

Manami: 

Akane: Why you! (rushes him)

(just downstairs)

Mitsuru: Ah ha! Found it!  In this room! The ultimate surge in negative
energy.

Shun: There? But that's where Suka...

(Mitsuru bursts in)

Hasukawa: Come on...just a few hits more in the final battle... Argh!

(Hasukawa sees Mitsuru who has just jumped in front of the TV with the branch
straying just a few inches from his throat)

Hasukawa: Gawd Mitsuru! What the hell are you doing here!?

Mitsuru: Nice to see you too, Ya-kun. Too bad you the repositary of the
ultimate evil!

Shun:  What? Really? You mean like in the 'Exorcist?'

Mitsuru: I'm afraid so.

Hasukawa: What utter nonsense! Stop this charade! This is not funny.

Mitsuru: Alas, I wish I was jesting.

Shun: What has to be done, sempai?

Mitsuru: Oh, the cure is very painful. First, he has to be stripped of all
his clothes, including underwear. Then he has to be drenched in vinegar.
After the soaking, he must be placed in a vat of mud from the local pond.
And then...

Hasukawa: I've heard enough! I'm leaving!

Shun: Hey wait up!

Hasukawa: Geez! What's that noise upstairs?

(on the 3rd floor)

(Akane tries to punch Shinohara, but he instead catches her fist. As they
are struggling...)

Kurumi: Don't worry Akane! Here I come!

(As Kurumi launches into his Super-Duper Kurumi leg twist...)

Shinohara: Oww!

(his legs fall from under him as he is chopped from the back by Shun!

(*SMASHHHHHHHHHHHHH!*)

(As Akane ducks and Shinohara falls, Kurumi's blow lands right on Hasukawa
who just came up from behind Shinohara!)


[At Actors College Dance Studio]

Instructor: That's it people! Take 5. Good workout today!

(As the people are about to scatter and leave)


Instructor: Miss Hayama! Please come here for a moment.

Hikaru: (whispers to Shuri) What does he want to talk to me for?

Shuri: (shrugs her shoulders) Beats me.

Hikaru: What is the matter sir?

Instructor: Please stand where you are. I believe the class has something to
tell you.

Hikaru: Huh?

(The people who were pretending to leave instead form a circle with Hikaru in
the center. They are interlock their arms and start kicking their legs up high
in the air like the Rockettes. And they in unison...)

        Happy Birthday to you!
        Happy Birthday to you!
        Happy Birthday our dear STAR-CHAN!
        Happy Birthday to you!
        Knock 'em dead at the tryout!

(Wild cheers and laughter erupt, with Hikaru standing in the middle, still
shocked and blushing)

H: 

[End of Chapter]